Shallipopi announced as Apple music’s ‘Up Next’ artiste in Nigeria

Apple music have announced emerging Afrobeats rapper, Shallipopi (real name Crown Uzama) as the latest featured artiste in its ‘Up Next’ artiste development program in Nigeria.

“I’m honoured to have been selected as the Up Next local artiste for June,” he said. “Thankful to Apple music for seeing the vision, the rest of the world is about to see Shallipopi is up next!”

Born and raised in Nigeria’s Benin city in Edo State, Shallipopi’s rise has been nothing short of sublime, building his fanbase through TikTok off the back of his raw talent and unmistakable slang. That aforementioned slang has become known as “Pluto” amongst his supporters, who are fondly referred to as ‘Plutomanian citizens’, two elements that have become the hallmark of his unique brand.

After releasing a string of striking singles that showcased his range – from the groove-rooted ‘Gra Gra’ (2021) to the lyrically sharp ‘Power’ (2022). It was the release of Shallipopi’s ‘Elon Musk’ (2023) and subsequent ‘Elon Musk Remix’ featuring Nigerian superstar rapper, Zlatan that earned him monumental viral success, further amplified by his captivating persona onTikTok.

As the latest ‘Up Next’ act to be spotlighted in Nigeria, Shallipopi will be featured across Apple music’s Nigeria’s ‘Up Next’ playlist. The curated playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artistes, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre agnostic and represents a line-up of artisets apple’sr global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.

Shallipopi joins Winny, Pawzz, Novemba, Ogranya, Majeeed, Khaid, Ninety, Young Jonn, T.I Blaze, Browny Pondis, Ajebo Hustlers, Jaido P, Wavy The Creator and SGaWD as Apple Music’s growing stable of ‘Up Next’ artistes from Nigeria.

The vast global ‘Up Next’ roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jonesa and NCT 127, Others are Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Foushee and Tems.